Merck (MRK) announced new data from two pivotal Phase III efficacy trials for suvorexant, the investigational medicine company is developing for the treatment of insomnia.

In the studies, suvorexant significantly reduced the time it took patients to fall asleep and increased the time that patients stayed asleep as early as the first night and at the three-month time point compared to placebo. Merck noted that the investigational medicine met statistical significance for all primary endpoints except for one measurement at month 3 in one of the trials. These late-breaking data were presented today at SLEEP 2012, the 26th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Darryle Schoepp, senior vice president and head of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology franchise, Merck Research Laboratories, stated, "Suvorexant approaches insomnia differently than other medicines because it helps patients to sleep by targeting and blocking orexins, which play a role in keeping people awake. We're excited about the Phase III results and the potential of suvorexant to become the first in a new class of medicines to help patients with insomnia."

American Express Co. said that beginning in April 2018, card members will not be required to sign receipts for their credit card purchases. The company thus joins other major card companies such as Mastercard Inc. and Discover Financial Services Inc., who have previously announced similar changes.

Costco members can now enjoy MoviePass subscription service and Fandor streaming service for $89.99. The subscription will be for one year.
The offer will be available on Costco website for up to December 18. The annual subscription will offer access to Fandor's library of more than 5000 films and...

A Houston woman has said that Spirit Airlines Inc. kicked her family off a flight Friday morning as she did not immediately stop breastfeeding her 2-year-old son. Mei Rui, a concert pianist and cancer researcher, said she was asked by flight attendants to stop breastfeeding her son and put him into his own seat for takeoff.